With just five days before St. Nick takes to the sky, Hampton Roads is seeing a spring-like wave of warm temperatures.

On Friday, temperatures on the Peninsula were in the mid-60's, with even warmer weather on the horizon, according to projections from NOAA. Many areas will hit or exceed the 70 degree mark on Saturday and the mercury will climb to the mid-70s on Sunday around the region, likely breaking record highs.

While the Midwest was grappling with winter storm warnings and flood watches, Hampton Roads residents were making the most of the balmy pre-Christmas weather.

A red Porsche Carrera zipped down Mercury Boulevard with the top down. Children out for play at the Peninsula Metropolitan YMCA frolicked outside in short sleeves and Santa hats.

Johnie Askew of Newport News was putting a shine on his silver 2009 Dodge Charger at Surf's Up Car Wash on Mercury Boulevard. He said he won't wash his car when it's cold for fear of getting sick.

"When it's nice out you best come out and do it," he said. When he heard the warm weather would continue through the weekend, he laughed. "Maybe I'll wax it, too."

Mike Holland, the manager of Surf's Up, said that when the sun comes out, so do the customers. "They've just been pouring in since I opened the gates at 7 this morning," Holland said.

That steady flow of cars represents a huge surge in business over a typical December day. "We're going to do triple the business today, simply with the temperature this high and the weather clear," Holland said. He said they'd likely wash 1,000 cars throughout the weekend.

While the parking lot at Surf's Up was packed, so was the lot at The Woodlands Golf Course in Hampton. By noon, 120 people were already out on the links, and course staff expects the pace to continue throughout the weekend.

"You get this sudden day (of good weather) and everyone comes out of the woodwork," said Paul Hackett, who wrangles carts for the course. Hackett said he knew from looking at forecasts last night it was going to be a busy day at the clubhouse. "It's like a summer day out here," he said of attendance.

David Boutieller said the weather brought him and a friend out for a round.

"The great weather and the course seem to be beckoning me with open arms saying 'come play,'" Boutieller said, adding that no matter how well he played on Friday, the weather would mean a good time.